Abstract Detail

Petals vary widely across angiosperms, likely because of their impact on pollinator attraction. For example, variation in pigmentation leads to different coloration of flowers perhaps attracting different suites of pollinators. Further, distinct depositions of pigment against a background color has evolved many times in different angiosperm families and are thought to act as nectar guides for pollinators. Here we examine petal diversity in the small family Cleomaceae with emphasis on floral color. In this family, petal morphology and color vary within a flower as well as among species of different clades. Differences in floral pigmentation involving anthocyanin and carotenoid production have been identified as an important component of floral evolution. We combine transcriptomic data, morphological data, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to elucidate patterns and basis of petal and color differentiation across species and within flowers of this morphologically diverse family.